TIM GIBBONS: Hamilton rock fans will remember Gibbons as part of the seminal rock bands The Shakers and The Trouble Boys. Gibbons is now writing and recording exquisitely dark banjo blues. If you didn't know he was from Hamilton, you'd swear he climbed out from some dark hollow in Appalachia. Gibbons performs Saturday in the intimate Lionshead Pub, 137 John St. N. No cover charge.

THE ARROGANT WORMS: A musical comedy trio comprised of Mike McCormick, Chris Patterson and Trevor Strong, the Arrogant Worms has kept audiences laughing all over North America and Australia. On Sunday, the Worms bring their hilarious show to the bandshell behind Fieldcote Museum in Ancaster (64 Sulphur Springs Rd.). The show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Bring a lawn chair.

JAYDEE BIXBY: This 18-year-old country crooner from Alberta finished second to Hamilton's Brian Melo in last year's Canadian Idol. His new CD, Cowboys and Cadillacs hit the stores last week. Bixby is performing at Hamilton Place Studio Theatre July 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance (Ticketmaster or Copps Coliseum box office) and $18 at the door.

JULLY BLACK: You may have seen Jully Black on TV in her role as mentor to Canadian Idolists. Or maybe you saw her spectacular closing spot on the Juno Awards. The best way to see Black is live onstage in an intimate venue, such as Hamilton Place Studio Theatre. She performs July 24 at 8 p.m. $25 at the door or $22.50 in advance at Copps Coliseum box office, Ticketmaster.ca or 905 527-7666.

LOS STRAITJACKETS: It's pretty impossible to dislike an instrumental surf-guitar band from California that wears Mexican wrestling masks. See them at Club Absinthe (233 King St. E.) Tuesday. The opening act, The Evelyn Dicks, features Hamilton's Chris Houston and Lori Yates. They have a great song called Einstein's Brain's In Hamilton. Doors 9 p.m. $15.